Head of Knowledge Exchange Strategic Projects & Partnerships

This is a key role in the Research England (RE) Knowledge Exchange policy team – you will develop a strong understanding of policy development in relation to knowledge exchange (KE) activity across strategic project and formula funding, and of the importance of data and evidence in policy development. You will deploy this to provide technical leadership on approaches to strategic project funding in KE and key stakeholder management, including playing a key role in RE's national KE metrics programme to develop new and improved KE data and evidence.  Specifically, you will lead the technical development and delivery of RE’s KE competitive funding, CCF-RED, working with senior colleagues to devise innovative policy approaches and methods and advise on evidence, particularly for evaluation purposes.

You will engage fully in policy discussion including with internal senior management and national and HE sector policy makers, problem-solve, understand and interpret implications in setting long term policy. You will be expected to contribute to commissioning of research and evaluation, for both formula and competitive funding, to produce both quantitative and qualitive evidence in particular for use in Spending Reviews, making links and drawing on expertise of relevant external experts. You will also work on other projects within the scope of the Knowledge Exchange Policy team including to support developing approaches to formula funding as part of the recently announced HEIF Reform.

About Us

The post holder will join the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Policy Team in Research England, UKRI. This team supports the higher education sector to enhance its work with businesses, public sector and local communities for the benefit of the economy and society. The team work to meet Government priorities to provide assurance that universities are delivering efficiency and effectiveness in all forms of KE, in appropriate ways. Working with colleagues internally, in institutions, with academic and other experts and Government and other partner organisations, the post-holder will develop and deliver policy across a range of areas of activity within knowledge exchange.

Main outputs and activities

• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of, and act as an authoritative source of advice on, knowledge exchange policy and interpretation of analysis with the ability to distil key points for a range of audiences.
• Lead on policy on, and delivery of, methods and processes for allocating funding for KE working within context of overall RE KE policy priorities, contributing to KE formula funding but with a primary focus on strategic and project funding, including contributing to wider RE approaches. This will include:
  • Significant contributions to the effective distribution of competitive project funding for KE, leading on the technical policy development and delivery of CCF-RED programme, including supporting the design of competitive calls, leading evaluation processes, and responding to queries from providers.
  • Supporting senior colleagues on the development of KE wider policy and funding, making recommendations on how policy objectives can be addressed, taking into consideration availability of appropriate evidence and institutional burden
  • Leading on methods to deliver policies and priorities, and their implementation, specifically in the context of project funding and to contribute to the delivery the recently announced HEIF reform.
• Working with policy and analysis colleagues in RE to ensure that KE policy reflects wider RE standards on and funding approaches and data definitions/use.
• Playing a key role in the development and delivery of RE’s national KE metrics programme leading on managing key stakeholders and strategic partnerships in a complex and novel work programme, commissioning activities to support metric development on particular topics as required to meet RE data needs, and providing technical advice on approaches to Associate Directors and Director for KE.
• Work as part of the team to assist with consideration of evidence and analysis to inform research and evaluation and monitoring of KE policy, KE project funding and elements of HEIF processes. This will include assisting commissioning external work, contributing to both formula and competitive project funding work in Spending Review exercises.
• Give presentations and lead discussions at external meetings relating to KE funding and policy, including funding and policy decisions.
• Make a significant contribution to effective relations with HE institutions and sector bodies, communicating policy development decisions and funding methods, answering queries and liaising with other RE directorates, including analytical and the Insight & Engagement directorate.
• Contribute to briefing and advice to Government/DSIT and senior Research England and wider UKRI colleagues, taking a leading role in areas of project funding and evidence development as they relate to KE policy.
• Assess, use and present accurately complex quantitative evidence in policy development.
• Problem solving using evidence.
• Internal project management (including managing expert researchers and working closely with statisticians).
• Production of RE Council and relevant Committee papers and other documents
• Represent Research England/UKRI at external meetings and presenting to external groups.
• Leading a small team, including direct line management of up to 3 direct reports, to deliver a varied and complex workload, including the delegation of work as required.

Benefits:

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

– Flexible Working

– 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

– Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

– Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

How to apply Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role.